Page 34 of His Haunted Duchess
“Did he? What did he say?”
“Oh, you mustn't blame him. I was ever so interested when he told me about the engagement, what with all the stories—” His eyes bulged until he looked like he had swallowed a frog. He rushed on.
“Frederic told me that you like horses and that you were very beautiful and easy to talk with, and I was ever so grateful.”
“That I was beautiful?”
“No—that is, I didn’t mind, but?—”
Caroline laughed at his discomfort. What a sweet, dear boy he was. Frederic had mentioned him that day in London, but she’d nearly forgotten.
“Perhaps, when there is a spare moment, you could take me to see your favorite places to walk or ride, here in Highcastle? It’s still very new to me, and I would welcome a guide.”
Philip’s face lit up.
“Really? Do you have a moment now? I’m ever so free and could walk with you to the loveliest place.”
He held out his arm. Caroline peeked through the wisteria then back to the house. No one was looking for her yet—an oddity since the engagement. She took Philip’s arm.
“I would be honored, Lord Grandon.”
He straightened a little and led her out to the garden.
“It’s a very special spot,” he promised. “I’m sure it’ll be something you appreciate.
“Then I shall be even more grateful for your tour,” she said, “though I don’t imagine it will be difficult to impress me. What I’ve already seen of Highcastle is so lovely—I’m looking forward to exploring it further.”
“Then we shall.” He took a few quick steps forward which she struggled to match. “What do you want to see first? What fun we shall have! It has been—very quiet around the house. Frederic spends ever so much time on business—as he should,” he hastened to add. “As he very much should. He can’t spend all of his time with me.”
They passed a swooping, curved garden bed thoughtfully speckled with deep purple Cotinus. Caroline traced the patternthen turned back to Philip, taking advantage of the brief pause while he stopped for air to pose her own question.
“How do you prefer to spend your time? You mentioned reading.”
He led her around the bed and further out onto the green lawn.
“Carlyle told me the name of that flower once, but I can’t remember now. An azure, perhaps? No, that just means blue. I’ve been trying to take up gardening, but I have no patience for it.”
He gestured to their left, past the corner of the house.
“The stable is just back there. I ride nearly every day. That’s something really exciting, riding, just like a real adventure—like Rob Roy.”
“Hopefully a little less sanguine,” Caroline said. “But I suppose you mean the life of a man in a saddle.”
Philip licked his lips.
“Yes, very much. Not so much—stabbing. But look there!”
He pointed to a gazebo surrounded by balled topiary shrubs.
“That’s the first marker for the race I run with Prince. He’s my horse, you know—an excellent one, too. Even Carlyle thinks so, and he’s not one to appreciate a good steed unless it’s for the carriage. Do you really like horses?”
“I do, though likely not as much as you or my aunt. I enjoy riding on occasion, but my aunt rides every day, rain or shine.”
Philip nodded solemnly.
“That indeed is a wise woman.”
Caroline stifled a smile.
